Category Archives: Featured Stories

Steelers Preseason

The Pittsburgh Steelers 53 Man Roster After Final Cuts

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The Steelers made their remaining necessary moves today to get their roster down to the 53 man requirement. Here is the roster as it stands right now. It is not permanent, and will likely change over the course of the next week.

Quarterbacks (3) — Ben Roethlisberger, Michael Vick, Landry Jones.

Running Backs (2) — DeAngelo Williams, Dri Archer

Full Backs (2) — Will Johnson, Roosevelt Nix

Wide Receivers (5) — Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Sammie Coates, Tyler Murphy

Tight Ends (3) — Heath Miller, Matt Spaeth, Jesse James.

Offensive Linemen (8) — Kelvin Beachum, Ramon Foster, Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro, Marcus Gilbert, Cody Wallace, Chris Hubbard, Alejandro Villanueva.

Defensive Linemen (6) — Cameron Heyward, Steve McLendon, Stephon Tuitt, Cam Thomas, Letterius Walton, Daniel McCullers.

Linebackers (10) — James Harrison, Lawrence Timmons, Ryan Shazier, Arthur Moats, Jarvis Jones, Vince Williams, Sean Spence, Bud Dupree, Terence Garvin, Anthony Chickillo.

Cornerbacks (6) — William Gay, Cortez Allen, Antwon Blake, Brandon Boykin, Doran Grant, Ross Cockrell.

Safeties (5) — Mike Mitchell, Shamarko Thomas, Will Allen, Robert Golden, Ross Ventrone.

Specialists (3) — Greg Warren, Josh Scobee, Jordan Berry

Reserve/Supsended (2)
RB Le’Veon Bell, WR Martavis Bryant

Reserve/PUP (1)
Mike Adams

The Steelers signed former Bills CB Ross Cockerell to a one year deal today. RB Le’Veon Bell and WR Martavis Bryant are on the Reserve/Suspended list and do not count towards the 53 man roster during their suspensions.

Some noteworthy names made the squad. WR Tyler Murphy, LB Anthony Chickillo, S Ross Ventrone, and OL Alejandro Villanueva being the biggest standouts. Villanueva was a lock once Mike Adams was destined for PUP, but few would have guessed he’d make the 53 man roster.

The team has until 12:00 pm est tomorrow to make waiver claims on any players they like on the waiver wire. At 1:00 pm est all teams can assemble their 10 man practice squad. At 4:00 pm tomorrow, the team can place a player on Reserve/Injured with the designation to return.

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Brady Wins Appeal, Will Play Against Steelers In Season Opener

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The Steelers travel to Gillette Stadium next Thursday night to face the New England Patriots. Unfortunately, Tom Brady will be the starting quarterback. Judge Richard Berman ruled in favor of Brady and the Patriots, nullifying the 4 game suspension issued by Roger Goodell.

The NFLPA issued a statement shortly following the decision.

“The rights of Tom Brady and of all NFL players under the collective bargaining agreement were affirmed today by a Federal Judge in a court of the NFL’s choosing. We thank Judge Berman for his time, careful consideration of the issue and fair and just result.

This decision should prove, once and for all, that our Collective Bargaining Agreement does not grant this Commissioner the authority to be unfair, arbitrary and misleading. While the CBA grants the person who occupies the position of Commissioner the ability to judiciously and fairly exercise the designated power of that position, the union did not agree to attempts to unfairly, illegally exercise that power, contrary to what the NFL has repeatedly and wrongfully claimed.

We are happy for the victory of the rule of law for our players and our fans. This court’s decision to overturn the NFL Commissioner again should signal to every NFL owner that collective bargaining is better than legal losses. Collective bargaining is a much better process that will lead to far better results.”

Several current and former players congratulated the NFLPA’s victory over Goodell and the NFL.

https://twitter.com/Realrclark25/status/639463783438548992

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The NFL released a statement as well, stating their disapproval and vowing to appeal the decision.

“We are grateful to Judge Berman for hearing this matter, but respectfully disagree with today’s decision. We will appeal today’s ruling in order to uphold the collectively bargained responsibility to protect the integrity of the game. The commissioner’s responsibility to secure the competitive fairness of our game is a paramount principle, and the league and our 32 clubs will continue to purse a path to that end. While the legal phase of this process continues, we look forward to focusing on football and the opening of the regular season.“

The league isn’t going to seek an emergency stay to try to keep Brady from playing in the season opener. Honestly, why would they? Did they ever really want a season debut watched by millions without Tom Brady?

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Maurkice Pouncey Needs Surgery, Has Broken Ankle

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Maurkice Pouncey was injured during today’s win over the Green Bay Packers. He hurt his left ankle late in the first quarter, and ultimately was carted to the lockers after being checked by trainers on the sideline.

https://twitter.com/JFowlerESPN/status/635552769471082496

Coach Tomlin gave an update on his condition in his press conference after the game, referring to his ankle as “surgical”, and saying that he didn’t have an idea of how long it will sideline him.

Tomlin said Tuitt’s ankle is much less severe. He sprained his ankle today, and Tomlin said he will likely be down for a couple of weeks.

Without knowing exactly what the actual injury is and what surgery he’ll have, it’s hard to say exactly how long he might be out. I’d expect the team will use the IR/return designation on Pouncey. I imagine Cody Wallace will fill his shoes until he is able to return.

Update- According to Ed Bouchette, Pouncey has a broken ankle bone. This could mean different things and have different implications depending the nature and location of the break. We’ll have to wait for more info before we can play doctor. Well, you know what I mean.

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Antonio Brown’s Agent Meeting With Steelers, Hopes For New Deal

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Multiple news outlets are reporting that super-agent Drew Rosenhaus, who represents Antonio Brown, will be meeting with team officials Friday in Jacksonville. The agent just finished arranging a $65Mil extension with $39Mil in guarantees for TY Hilton in Indianapolis this morning. Rosenhaus hopes tomorrow’s meeting will result in a reworking of Antonio Brown’s contract.

https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/631807273426415616

The Steelers are arriving in Florida tonight as they prepare to face the Jaguars for Friday night’s preseason matchup.

Antonio Brown is one of the best receivers in the NFL. In 2012, the Steelers signed him to a 6 year, $41.7 Mil contract extension.  Since then, he’s grown into one of the most productive receivers in the league. Brown was the league leader last year with 29 receptions and totaled 1,698 yards- both of which were team records.

Compared to his counterparts in the league, AB is relatively low paid, especially for his production. He averages just under $8.4 Mil/year- the 12th highest among NFL receivers in terms of APY. The Steelers have restructured Brown’s contract twice already. His remaining cap hits are $9,787,500, $12,037,500, and $10,797,500 respectively.

Should the Steelers give Brown more money right now? The answer is going to vary depending on who you ask, but if you’re asking me, the answer is ‘nah’, and the Steelers aren’t going to.  Why would they? There’s really no incentive for the team to do so. At this juncture, they are just being polite and are keeping the conversation lines open with Brown’s camp. ‘We know you want more money’, ‘We know you’re playing above your contract’s value’, ‘Be patient and keep up the good work’.

There’s no reason to think Brown won’t have another very productive season, and after the season is over, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Steelers are ready to entertain more serious negotiations which result in netting Brown more guaranteed money.

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Taking A Closer Look At Garrett Hartley

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The Pittsburgh Steelers have moved quickly in finding a replacement for kicker Shaun Suisham. The team announced Tuesday that they had selected kicker Garrett Hartley, 29, to join the team.

https://twitter.com/GHartley5/status/631273015410565120

Hartley was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2008 by the Denver Broncos. Later that year he served as the placekicker for the Saints. His NFL career started strong, as he set an NFL record (no longer standing) for the most consecutive successful field goals in the start of a career. He also was the first kicker in NFL history to convert three field goals over 40 yards in the Superbowl (XLIV). He would go on to sign a contact extension making him the highest paid kicker in the game.

2011 was a rough year for Hartley though, who missed the entire season after a he sustained a hip injury during preseason. After returning to the Saints in 2012 and 2013, he struggled with consistency issues, and was consequently replaced in 2013.

 

The Browns signed Hartley in 2014 as a replacement for Billy Cundiff who was off on a knee injury, but he never saw much gameplay. He was waived by the Browns in March 2015.

By the numbers-

In 2012, Hartley was 18 for 22 (81.8%). 22 for 30 (73.3%) in 2013. He was 3 for 3 last year in Cleveland during the two cold weather games he played in.

Here’s a video Hartley posted to vimeo a few days ago. It contains some of his warmups and some trick shots showing off his leg strength.

After practice yesterday, Coach Tomlin was asked about Hartley.

“He’s an established guy,” Tomlin said. “He’s a been-there-done-that guy,” continuing, “We’ll get to know him along the way.”

Will Hartley be a long term answer, or will the Steelers be shopping the waiver wire in a few weeks? Steeler fans will have to wait and see if Hartley displays his early career reliability over his later career inconsistencies.

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Jerome Bettis Was The Main Event In Canton

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The Bus made his final stop last night. Jerome Bettis was the clear headliner at a ceremony that honored stars of NFL past like Tim Brown, Junior Seau, Charles Haley, Bill Polian, and others. “We’ve gotta get one thing understood tonight,” Bettis said to an audience dominated by Steelers fans, “we’re in Canton, Ohio, but this is Steelers Country.” He wasn’t kidding. The audience looked like a Steelers 1:00 home game.

Bettis exemplified humility and class as he told the story of his journey from meager beginnings in Detroit to Hall of Fame inductee. He thanked several people, and said heartfelt thanks to his family.

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What came as a surprise, to me at least, was his thanking Ben Roethlisberger for “the tackle”.  “Brother, without you saving that tackle, I still might be on the doorsteps, brother,” Bettis said as the camera closed in on a laughing Roethlisberger. “I owe you for life.”

His public speaking prowess was on full display as he spoke to the sea of spectators at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I got goosebumps when he started a chant of “Here we go Steelers” and looked for my towel when he led the first of a couple Terrible Towel waves. Here’s his speech in its entirety. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFXbJNg1MV4

 

 

Le'Veon Bell

Le’Veon Bell Negotiating A Settlement With The NFL

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ESPN reports that the NFL and Le’Veon Bell are in the process of negotiating a settlement that would reduce his suspension to one or two games.

https://twitter.com/DanGrazianoESPN/status/626045363653316608

Bell received a 3 game suspension this spring for his arrest last summer on charges of driving under the influence and marijuana possession. The running back was sentenced to 15 months probation and was able to enter a pre-trial intervention program. Bell also received a 60 day suspension of his driver’s license.

The Steelers face the Patriots week 1, and they’ll do so without Bell. Whether or not he’ll be able to play against the 49ers or St. Louis for weeks 2 and 3 will be determined soon.

Ross Ventrone

S Ross Ventrone Carted Off Field After Leg Injury

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Steelers safety Ross Ventrone suffered an injury to his right leg during practice today. According to multiple reports, Ventrone was taken to the lockers on a cart.

https://twitter.com/MarkKaboly_Trib/status/625774415679258624

I think Kaboly meant “shoe”, not show. According to David Todd of ESPN, Ventrone picked off a Ben Roethlisberger pass and the receiver inadvertently dove into Ventrone’s shin. That receiver was Eli Rogers if you’re wondering.

Ventrone was activated from the practice squad last October due to injuries on the active roster. Ventrone never saw playing time on defense, but contributed on special teams.

We’ll have to wait and see how serious his injury is.

steelers training camp

5 Players Start Camp On PUP List

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The team announced today that the following five players will begin training camp on the PUP list. Gradkowski (shoulder), Adams (back), Lemon (achilles), Pouncey (foot), and Golson (shoulder) are all starting camp on PUP.

Lemon’s achilles injury is reportedly a strain. Pouncey is considered day to day with a foot sprain. Mike Adams is coming off a back surgery (7/20) and will need approximately 4 weeks recovery. No immediate word on the severity of Golson’s shoulder.

Mike Adams’ surgery certainly hurts the tackle’s chances of making the roster. His injury is also an opportunity for players like Mitchell Van Dyk and Villanueva.